A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Female boxers won’t have to wear skirts in competition
BOXING: THE World Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) has confirmed that it will not be compulsory for female boxers to wear skirts in competition.
AIBA’s executive committee Bureau, meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, made some key amendments to their Technical and Competition rules, one of which included the wearing of female boxers’ uniforms.
AIBA president Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, who has described Ireland’s Katie Taylor as a role model for the sport, said that their decision is that the wearing of skirts or shorts for female boxers is optional. “We never asked women to wear skirts. We heard recommendations about this from national federations and boxers, said Dr Wu, who was a guest of the IABA at the 2012 European Youth Championships in Dublin.
“Our Technical and Rules Commission have had several discussions. Some women want to wear shorts and some others want to wear skirts. So . . . we shall make it optional.”
Williams decides to step down
FORMULA ONE:Team principal Frank Williams signalled the end of an era yesterday with his decision to follow co-founder Patrick Head and step down from the board of the former Formula One world champions.
Williams and Head (who left the board at the end of December), founded the team in 1977 and went on to oversee 113 grand prix wins, nine constructors’ titles and seven drivers’ crowns.
Powell, Bolt to meet twice in build-up
ATHLETICS: Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell has confirmed that he is to face compatriot Usain Bolt in consecutive weeks as the pair build up to the London 2012 Olympics.
Powell has now signed to feature in the 100m race in Oslo on June 7th, having previously agreed to perform only in Rome on May 31st.
Bolt, the Olympic champion over 100m and 200m, had already agreed to race at both Diamond League events.
Powell (29) is expected to be one of Bolt’s main rivals at the games.
Powell’s personal best in the 100m is 9.72 seconds, with Bolt still holding the world record of 9.58 seconds, set at the World Championships in Berlin nearly three years ago.
Murray beats Djokovic in Dubai
TENNIS: Andy Murray beat world number one Novak Djokovic 6-2 7-5 in the semi-finals of the Dubai Championships yesterday, the duo's first meeting since the Serb triumphed in a five-set epic at January's Australian Open.
Djokovic started strongly, holding his opening two service games to love but from 2-2 a pumped-up Murray then won seven games in a row to claim the first set and go 3-0 up in the second on a balmy evening in Dubai.
Murray served for the match at 5-3 but nerves got the better of the world number four, who double-faulted as Djokovic earned two break points.
A netted backhand from the Scot then enabled Djokovic to pull it back to 5-4 and the set appeared to be heading for a tiebreak.
However, Murray roused himself to break and sealed victory after the Serb clubbed a forehand into the net.
Murray will play either Roger Federer or Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro in the final.
Rodgers eligible to run in London
ATHLETICS:US sprinter Mike Rodgers has accepted a nine-month ban for a failed drugs test, but remains eligible to compete at the London 2012 Olympics. Rodgers (26) is banned until April 19th, meaning he will still be able to attend the US Olympic trials in June.
Rodgers, who was the second-fastest American at the 100m in 2011, tested positive for a banned stimulant. “I take full responsibility for my actions,” said Rodgers.
Rodgers took methylhexaneamine, a stimulant commonly found in nutritional supplements and energy drinks.
That was discovered following the results of an in-competition urine test carried out in Italy on July 19th, 2011. It is believed that the US world indoor 60m silver medallist mistakenly consumed the stimulant while out socialising.
The US Anti-Doping Agency said Rodgers gave an “inaccurate and misleading testimony”.
They also stated that his nine-month ban commences from the day in which his urine sample was taken.
Sri Lanka book their final place
CRICKET: Sri Lanka beat Australia by nine runs despite Dan Christian's hat-trick in a dramatic one-day international yesterday to book their place in the final of the Tri-series against the hosts and send India home.
India needed their sub-continental rivals to lose the last round-robin clash to keep their tour alive but Sri Lanka made 238 all out from their 50 overs before dismissing Australia, who had already secured their place in the final, for 229.
Australia went into the final over of their innings needing just 10 runs for victory but Nuwan Kulasekera had David Hussey caught for 74 with the first ball to spark emotional celebrations among the Sri Lankan players.
Carty guides Marist to final spot
SCHOOLS RUGBY: Marist College beat newcomers Rice College 32-12 in yesterday's semi-final replay of the Connacht Schools Senior Cup in Athlone.
Ben Carty scored 17 points – including the opening try after only 10 minutes – which sets up a meeting against Sligo Grammar in two weeks’ time.
MARIST COLLEGE: C Seery; H Hughes, R Henshaw, R Sheridan, R O’Reilly; B Carty, R Ashe; B Teape, S Flanagan, S Meunargia; N Carr, C White; D Lycnh, B Cooper, K Cooper. Replacements: E Kelly for Flanagan (33 mins); D Lynam for B Cooper (52 mins); M Curley for Carr (56 mins); C Langdon for Hughes (56 mins); J Gormally for Teape (65 mins); G Costello for Carty (65 mins); R McMickan for Ashe (65 mins).
RICE COLLEGE: E Geraghty; B McDermott, D Corcoran, A McAleer, P Glavey; S Tobin, D Carpenter; T Geraghty, N McCarthy, J Dever; E Dunning, M O’Grady; D Moran, M Brady, S McCormack.
Replacements: L Staunton for McAteer (16 mins); B Mullen for Carpenter (24 mins); C Grodin for McCarthy (38 mins); K Gill for Dunning (42 mins); D McLaughlin for Mullen (53 mins); K Coughlan for O’Grady (68 mins); J O’Haire for Moran (68 mins).
Referee: Tom Forkan (CBIFRU)
